Patents Examined by Christopher Hamon
  • Patent number: 7028450
    Abstract: A system for automatically forming several parallel rows of disk-like objects on a conveyor into stacks and packing those stacks into boxes is disclosed along with a method of operating the system. The system includes a stacker receiving the disk-like objects as they fall of the conveyor, a buffer receiving stacks from the stacker in groups of a first number, a transfer device for removing the stacks from the buffer in groups of a second number, and a packer for packing the stacks into boxes. The second number can be less than, greater than, or equal to the first number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: F.R. Drake Company
    Inventors: Colin R. Hart, Kenneth M. Welborn
  • Patent number: 6953422
    Abstract: A system and method for selectively replacing one set of folding boards with another set of folding boards is provided. In one embodiment, a first set and a second set of folding boards are secured to carriage assemblies that are moveable in and out of a web-receiving position. Through the system and method of the present invention, it has been discovered that a set of folding boards may be quickly and efficiently replaced with another set of folding boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2005
    Assignee: Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc.
    Inventors: Leslie T. Long, John H. Evans